Greg Mueller studies mushrooms and the important roles they play in forests. Some mushrooms serve as nature's recyclers while others live on the roots of trees in a symbiotic relationship.Interactions between the trees and symbiotic mushrooms are vital for the survival of both: the mushrooms greatly increase the tree's ability to absorb water and nutrients, while the tree passes on excess food to the mushroom. Greg's work helps determine which mushrooms pair with which trees to make reforestation of tropical forests more effective and to better manage remaining undisturbed forests.

Greg Mueller was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and studied at Southern Illinois University, the University of Tennessee, Uppsala University in Sweden and the University of Washington.